Pollard out of Rugby Championship
Due to an injury sustained while playing for the Leicester Tigers, flyhalf Handre Pollard has been ruled out of the competition.
Rassie Erasmus has confirmed that the Springboks will be without Handre Pollard for the Rugby Championship, but Damian Willemse will be back in time for the opener against Australia.
The Springboks have endured something of a mini-injury crisis at flyhalf, which necessitated a recall for Elton Jantjies to the expanded squad that is preparing for the 2023 Rugby Championship and World Cup.
Pollard is battling with an injury suffered while in action for his club, Leicester Tigers, while Willemse was also a concern after picking up a knock in training.
However, during a press conference from the team’s camp in Pretoria, Erasmus said that he expects Willemse to be fit to face the Wallabies at Loftus Versfeld on July 8, alleviating the pressure to rush Pollard back into action.
“Eben [Etzebeth] is coming along nicely [from a shoulder injury], and so is Siya [Kolisi] from his knee. Those guys we are looking at maybe playing in the [warm-up] game against Wales [on August 19]. Jaden Hendrikse is also looking good.”
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